The AASV’s issue- and membership-based committees met virtually during the 2023 winter months and in-person at the AASV Annual Meeting in Aurora, Colorado. The AASV Board of Directors establishes committees to address specific issues associated with swine veterinary medicine and provide recommendations for action to the AASV leadership. The AASV committees are a critical part of the leadership structure within AASV, and they also serve as a great way for members to participate in developing positions for the association, learn about important issues, network with other members, and develop their own leadership skills.
AASV members, leaders, and staff greatly appreciate the efforts of more than 300 volunteer members who serve on at least one committee.
The following are some highlights from the committee meetings:
- After careful review and consideration of the name and mission of the group, the Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) Task Force is recommending changes to the Board. Members discussed the need for educational materials on the use and interpretation of whole genome sequencing.
- The Boar Stud Committee held a preconference seminar during the 2023 AASV Annual Meeting. The seminar drew 47 registered attendees.
- The Committee on Transboundary and Emerging Diseases plans to update the foreign animal disease portion of the AASV website.
- The Collegiate Activities Committee has been investigating swine medicine curriculum and resources in US and Canadian schools of veterinary medicine and intends to publish their findings. The committee discussed potential causes and solutions for a trending decline in the number of student abstract submissions for the AASV Annual Meeting.
- During the upcoming year, the Communications Committee plans to add videos to the AASV Heritage Video library featuring Drs Angela Baysinger, Lisa Tokach, and Conrad Schmidt.
- In collaboration with the Human Health, Safety, and Well-being Committee, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee held a preconference seminar highlighting multiple topics in human and social health at the 2023 Annual Meeting. The committee plans to explore how other organizations are collecting and using member demographic information to improve their organizations.
- The Early Career Committee learned that 5 participants enrolled in the MentorVet pilot program. The committee will consider a second cohort after evaluating the 2023 pilot program. They heard updates about the USDA-National Institute of Food and Agriculture Veterinary Services Grant Program funded AASV Participant-Led Early-Career Swine Veterinarian Development Program. Capacity was met with 25 participants. The program will continue through July 2025. The committee discussed how to best collect information from veterinarians who have left swine practice to learn about factors influencing that decision.
- For a second year, the Human Health, Safety, and Well-being Committee encouraged member interaction through an attendee scavenger hunt at the Annual Meeting. Those who completed a bingo received an AASV-logoed luggage tag and stocking hat. The committee is exploring opportunities to host an auditory and respiratory fitness testing clinic at the 2024 AASV Annual Meeting.
- The Influenza Committee is considering how herds may be classified by influenza status. They learned the USDA is hosting a virtual influenza workshop for veterinarians, scientists, and producers March 29-30, 2023.
- Discussions of the Nutrition Committee centered around providing AASV members with educational resources and learning opportunities in nutrition. They directed members toward the AASV Early Career Committee’s podcast describing nutrition basics, available in the AASV Podcast Library at aasv.org/podcast.
- The Operation Main Street (OMS) Committee learned the National Pork Board made a strategic decision to fully sunset the program at the end of April 2023.
- The Pharmaceutical Issues Committee reviewed the revisions to FDA’s draft Guidance for Industry #152 Evaluating the Safety of Antimicrobial New Animal Drugs with Regard to Their Microbiological Effects on Bacteria of Human Health Concern, which contains the list of drugs classified by medical importance in Appendix A. The committee provided comments to submit to FDA. The committee continued discussing the need for a database listing withdrawal times for countries outside the United States. Members previewed an antimicrobial stewardship course for students and practitioners in development by the Swine Medicine Education Center.
- The Pig Welfare Committee recommended revisions to two AASV position statements regarding pig welfare during stop movement situations.
- The Pork Safety Committee is monitoring the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service actions toward the 2022 proposed performance standards for Salmonella in raw pork.
- The Student Engagement Committee recommends AASV continue supporting The Swine Medicine Talks: An AASV series for Veterinary Students. The committee discussed decreased student attendance and declining abstract submissions at the AASV Annual Meeting.
Almost all committees need additional members who are swine veterinary practitioners. If you are interested in learning more about the committee activities, visit the committee web pages on the AASV web site (aasv.org/members/only/committee). Contact the committee chair or the AASV office to join a committee.